DARDANELLE — Yell County’s senior citizens who receive lunch from Meals on Wheels also received a pleasant surprise Wednesday — a visit from a local mayor.

Dardanelle Mayor Carolyn McGee helped deliver meals to senior citizens Wednesday as part of Mayors for Meals, a nationwide program in which mayors from cities across the United States participate in the Meals on Wheels efforts for a day in hopes of raising awareness of senior hunger.

“It gives the mayor a chance to come out and see people in the community,” said Kim Dyre, site coordinator at the Dardanelle Senior Activity Center. “And it’s also good for our center, too, for people here to see the mayor.”

The program, which Dyre said delivers approximately 95 meals a day, delivers meals throughout Yell County to elderly citizens, ones who are either unable to make their own meals or aren’t able to go outside of their homes.

“It’s meant to keep them out of nursing homes,” Dyre said. “They have to be a senior citizen, and they can’t be able to drive. We deliver them a meal each day, and we make sure they’re OK.”

This totals an upwards of 1,800 meals a month, which means countless hours of preparation by the workers at the senior center.

“The cooks come in at six in the morning and start cooking for the day,” Dyre said.

“It’s a home-cooked meal,” she said. “Think of your mom when she cooks, and that’s what this is.”

Meals on Wheels has been in operation for more than 30 years, but people can also come into the senior center to receive meals.

With a new group of workers, the center hosts a multitude of activities, including art classes, computer classes and a variety of trips.

“We have a whole new team here that’s excited with new ideas and excited about seeing this place going good places,” Dyre said. “And we have great support from the mayor. Anything we’ve ever called and needed, if she’s been able to do it, she’s done it for us. She’s a huge supporter of us.”

To become enrolled in the Meals on Wheels program, call (479) 229-4129. The center asks for a $3.50 donation per meal.